The Cultural Lives of Domestic Objects in Late Antiquity

Erscheinungsjahr 2019
ISBN: 978-90-04-38687-7
Verlag: Brill

Buch, Englisch, Band 4, 120 Seiten, Format (B × H): 206 mm x 295 mm, Gewicht: 363 g

Reihe: Late Antique Archaeology (Supplementary Series)

In this study, Jo Stoner investigates the role of domestic material culture in Late Antiquity. Using archaeological, visual and textual evidence from across the Roman Empire, the personal meanings of late antique possessions are revealed through reference to theoretical approaches including object biography. Heirlooms, souvenirs, and gift objects are discussed in terms of sentimental value, before the book culminates in a case study reassessing baskets as an artefact type. This volume succeeds in demonstrating personal scales of value for artefacts, moving away from the focus on economic and social status that dominate studies in this field. It thus represents a new interpretation of domestic material culture from Late Antiquity, revealing how objects transformed houses into homes during this period.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Stoner, Jo

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie Geschichte der klassischen Antike Klassische Archäologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Geschichtliche Themen Kultur- und Ideengeschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Weltgeschichte & Geschichte einzelner Länder und Gebietsräume Europäische Geschichte
• Geisteswissenschaften Geschichtswissenschaft Alte Geschichte & Archäologie Geschichte der klassischen Antike Spätantike

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Contents

Foreword

List of Illustrations

Abbreviations

Introduction

Structure of this Book

1 Heirloom Objects in Late Antiquity

Defining ‘Heirlooms’

Intentional Heirlooms

Marriage and Dowry

Death and Burial

Texts

Conclusion

2 Gifts in Late Antiquity

Identifying Gift Objects

Wedding Gifts

Other Celebrations

Imperial Gifts

Handmade Gifts

Texts

Conclusion

3 Souvenirs in Late Antiquity

Defining Souvenirs

Secular Late Antique Souvenirs

Souvenirs and ‘Regional Specialities’

Souvenirs of Events

Sacred Souvenirs

Souvenirs at Home

4 Case Study: Baskets in Late Antiquity

Introduction

Evidence and Scholarship

Baskets and Late Antique Femininity

Baskets as a Pagan Ritual Object

Baskets as a Symbol of Plenty

Baskets and Personal Meaning: Early Christian Monastic Evidence

Layers of Meaning

Conclusions

Heirlooms

Gifts

Souvenirs

Baskets

Behaviours and Meaningful Material Culture

The Multiplicity of Meaningful Objects: Gift, Heirloom, or Souvenir?

Reconstruction of a Late Antique Home

Bibliography

Ancient Textual Editions and Inscriptions
Modern Sources

Index

Über Autor(innen)

Jo Stoner received her Ph.D. in Classics and Archaeology in 2015 from the University of Kent. She is currently a Research Associate at the University of Kent working on an AHRC-funded project looking at the material culture of Roman Egypt.